Positive Vegan Parentinghttp://littlevbigv.com
Cruelty-free living for vegans and future vegans big and smallSun, 15 Apr 2018 18:47:40 +0000en-GBhourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.4http://littlevbigv.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/cropped-File-17-07-2016-22-41-24-1-32x32.jpeg Positive Vegan Parentinghttp://littlevbigv.com
3232119282269Tallinn – Vegan Eating Guidehttp://littlevbigv.com/holidays/tallinn-vegan-eating-guide/
http://littlevbigv.com/holidays/tallinn-vegan-eating-guide/#respondSun, 15 Apr 2018 18:45:24 +0000http://littlevbigv.com/?p=2014We’d heard rumours that the Estonian capital Tallinn was fairly vegan-friendly – and we were not disappointed. We spent five days in April exploring this beautifully preserved medieval city through snow showers, rain and an unseasonably hot two days – our expectations of where and what to eat were wonderfully exceeded and very reasonably priced. […]

We’d heard rumours that the Estonian capital Tallinn was fairly vegan-friendly – and we were not disappointed.

We spent five days in April exploring this beautifully preserved medieval city through snow showers, rain and an unseasonably hot two days – our expectations of where and what to eat were wonderfully exceeded and very reasonably priced. During our short stay, as well as eating our own body weights in delicious, wholesome vegan food, we squeezed in a walk through the stunning Japanese gardens in Kadriorg Park, before making our way to the sandy beaches and jagged, frozen sea.

A visit to the old Olympic yachting centre at Pirata (used for the sailing events at the 1980 Games) is also a worthwhile destination, either by walking up the coastal path or jumping on the bus, you will be rewarded with a wonderful plant-based cafe at the end of the 3km stroll – details below. Tallinn Teletorn (the TV tower) is a 20-minute bus ride out of town, and from the top you can see the best views of the city and coastline – if you have the stomach for it there are glass floors over a 170m drop! The restaurant had no vegan options though, so take a snack.

The Alexander Nevsky cathedral is also not to be missed – especially the hypnotic arrhythmic Sunday bell-ringing that sent our daughter into a strange shamanic trance! The KGB museum (guided tours only) is based on the ‘secret’ top floor of Hotel Viru, from where the secret police spied on guests offers a really informative, fascinating hour and a sobering glimpse into life before Estonia’s independence.

Our apartment, a spacious and very comfortable open-plan one-bed mezzanine was situated just on Town Hall Square, and I would happily recommend staying there. It was booked with a view to doing some cooking ourselves, but the amount of vegan and vegan-friendly cafes and restaurants meant our little kitchen hardly got a look-in. Below are our favourite finds. We travelled with our seven-year-old daughter, so all of these establishments are guaranteed child-friendly too.

Supermarkets

There are a few Rimi supermarkets in the centre where there is a good choice of non-dairy milks from big brands like Alpro and Oatly, dairy-free chocolate plus cans of chickpeas, pasta and the usual staples, as well as some pre-made, clearly labelled vegan salad boxes – e.g. quinoa, chickpea, rocket and olives. Right next to the main train station (Balti Jaam) is the Balti Jaama Turg Centre, (‘turg’ means market) which is where you should head to stock up. This is an indoor market with a wonderful and varied selection of fruit and veg, a bakery, health food store and food stalls including some vegan ones (see below), with some household goods and clothes on the top floor. There is the Bio Store with a great zero waste section – full of nuts, grains and seeds – eco cleaning, store cupboard essentials, treats, snacks and more. On the lower floor is a large Selver supermarket with a surprisingly good vegan section. You can find lots of plant-based milks and spreads here, as well as faux meats and sauces – all clearly labelled vegan. If you are self-catering, I would suggest visiting Turg Centre first to snaffle the best produce. Note that if you want to buy booze from the shops you need to so so before 10pm – it’s illegal afterwards.

Cafes and restaurants

August – We ate at this stylish, friendly Old Town cafe on our last day and it was my most enjoyed meal. If we had gone here first, I would have gone on to try many more of their dishes. They serve meat but the menus are clearly labelled and the staff are on it with a clear understanding of what is and isn’t vegan so you can sit back and relax. The special that day was a cherry and espresso smoothie, which was insanely good. It’s not often a little side drink becomes worthy of posting about and daydreaming over days later, so do try it if you visit. The food was wonderfully unfussy here, presented beautifully and flavoured perfectly – it was a wonderful meal to send us on our travels home. We had the pancakes, tofu kebabs with rice noodles and satay sauce, and pappardelle with beetroot and cumin pesto and avocado. The cafe is bright, chilled and young with a modern designer feel, good music and nice staff. Cakes are displayed on the counter and the menus have English translation. http://www.kohvikaugust.ee

Pegasus – This smart, modern restaurant sits just by the main tourist information centre and boasts a great first-floor view of the medieval St Nicholas’s Church. We sat by the huge windows and had our first meal here people-watching and getting a feel of the city. Our waiter was very charming and welcoming, but did bring us butter and bread – both made with dairy despite us ordering vegan dishes and letting him know we were eating vegan food only. For my husband who is mostly plant-based not vegan, this isn’t really an issue – but when this happens to me I become wary of everything subsequently served and can’t really relax. The starter we had was really very good, a soya meat salad with coffee and raisin jam, the main meals were nice too – baked celeriac and truffle – but not as standout as the first course and there was just one vegan dessert but we didn’t try it. https://www.facebook.com/RestoranPegasus/

Vegan Inspiratsioon – Such a cosy place, once could almost curl up after a belly full of food and have a sneaky nap or grab one of the many books, games or mindful colouring books and see the day away under the fairy lights listening to Oasis play on the sound system. Exclusively vegan and rocking more of a bohemian vibe we came here twice, for breakfast and a early dinner. The food is good, portions are big and hearty, and you will leave twice the person you arrived. Breakfast was a chickpea flour omelette, pancakes and a trio of toasts with cheese sauce, avocado and hummus and also a really tasty “egg” salad and decent strong coffee. Our second meal was a gluten-free pizza, which was overloaded with veggies but had a little too much sauce on, an Estonian potato salad, and a huge wrap with bean cutlet, tofu, hummus and a host of salads – again a little too heavy on the sauce, which overpowered the flavours of the cutlet, but it was still very nice and could have fed all three of us! They have a great selection of cakes, including salted caramel cheesecake, raw cakes and a classic Estonian cake and which is a little like a rocky road bar – yum. Everything about this place is worthy of a visit, or two. http://veganinspiratsioon.ee/en/

Vigri – Set in the old Olympic complex (with the green roofs) I didn’t realise everything was vegan as I drooled over the cakes and buffet lunch wondering which ones I could eat. What a wonderful surprise it was to learn its 100% vegan and have so much choice. We tucked in to the self-serve buffet (at €1.60 per 100g) which included baked polenta, African peanut stew, curry, salads, lentils, wild rice and fresh bread washed down with bottles of beer and a very impressive section of cakes and pastries. It’s very good value – paying by weight always scares me, but it was not expensive at all – around €25 for us three, including beer and coffee. There is a little kids’ area with vegan books and toys to keep the little ones busy and content. The cafe looks over the harbour and boats and you can have a nice mooch along the sea afterwards chatting to the ducks. I imagine in the summer this place gets heaving but for us on a freezing clear day it was peaceful and welcoming and we felt like we had found a real gem serving up the good food we were hoping for. https://vigrikohvik.ee/en/

Vegan Restaurant V – This is the most famous vegan restaurant in Tallinn and with good reason. You will need to book in advance (you drop in to buy cakes to take away though, which we did the next day!). This place reminded me a lot of Berlin – low lighting, interesting and eclectic mix of diners, advanced vegan food and a place where you can settle in for a good night. We had a snack platter starter to share, each items was to be savoured, the cheese cube was the best vegan cheese I’ve had in taste and texture – it was a perfectly balanced plate of food to get us in the mood for a great evening. Ruby had a ginormous chickpea cheeseburger, which she enjoyed, I had the tofu in black bread with hemp seed mash and James had the seitan tacos. No complaints, just good honest food. The desserts were off the scale and the only advice I can give is just to order them all and like us go back the next day to get any takeaway cakes you couldn’t manage the first time around! http://www.vonkrahl.ee/en/vegan-restoran-v/

Von Krahli Aed – Run by the same people as V Restaurant and just two doors down, this is Tallinn’s first fully organic establishment that also offers plenty of vegan options. It’s another welcoming space with very friendly staff and a relaxed candle-lit atmosphere. All the dishes are available with and without meat, the menu (in English) shows how this is done and its clear what can further be made vegan. We had The Carrot, The Potato and James ordered the Dark Green off the special Music Week Festival Menu – as was the dessert of fennel sorbet, scorched tarragon marshmallow and cotton candy which James and I had to fight our daughter for. The interesting textures and flavours of all our dishes were outstanding – plus Ruby’s carrots came skewered on twigs. How can you not smile at that? http://www.vonkrahl.ee/en/von-krahli-aed/

Noodle Box – Blink and you miss this place so keep your eyes open for the tiny shop front. It’s a pleasant walk from the centre, despite our wrong turns, in a more down-at-heel area compared with the chocolate-box Old Town. Note that if you get too lost your Uber app works here otherwise its round in circles using maps hoping for the best! Noodle Box has a fully vegan menu so order with ease. It serves booze too. It apparently gets quite busy here so we went early to grab a seat, but if it’s rammed when you arrive they do a roaring takeout trade so you won’t go hungry. Another relaxed and informal place – there are lots of vegan magazines to flick through, good tunes playing, and a very cool young Tallinn feel to the place – or maybe that was the bottled gin cocktail successfully defrosting me. Everything we ate here was spot on: fishless fingers, Szechuan wok-fried potatoes (highly recommended), kimchi fried rice and the standout dish was the dan dan noodles. https://www.facebook.com/Noodle-Box-611510528973689/

Veg Machine – One of two all-vegan places we found in the Baliti Jaama Turg Centre. These guys serve up fast vegan comfort food – done very well. Ruby had the hot dog because waiting for dinner wasn’t an option apparently when you are stood outside a vegan stall – she has a point. It was very good – great bread, home-made dill mustard and mild pickled onions set it apart from most hot dogs on offer. When we return to Estonia I’d like to try more of their food. https://www.facebook.com/vegmachinebalta/

ToorMoor – On the street level of Turg Centre you’ll find this tiny vegan café as a welcoming example of the vegan finds in this interesting market place. Serving breakfasts, savouries, cakes and some tubs of hummus among other bites. We picked a raw chocolate cake to take out and it was rich, tasty and gone in a flash. Around the Turg centre at the back there is some great street art to look out for as well. http://www.toormoor.ee/en/

I hope you’ve enjoyed our reviews – we have a growing vegan travel section on littlevbigv.com including a vegan and dog-friendly guide to South Devon and Berlin, plus more to come, just click on the holidays tab on the right.

]]>http://littlevbigv.com/holidays/tallinn-vegan-eating-guide/feed/02014Talking to young kids about veganism – a gentle approachhttp://littlevbigv.com/kids/talking-young-kids-veganism-gentle-approach/
http://littlevbigv.com/kids/talking-young-kids-veganism-gentle-approach/#commentsSun, 25 Mar 2018 16:55:46 +0000http://littlevbigv.com/?p=1899If you are interested in veganism or have become vegan, or you and your kids have seen something about animal cruelty and want to understand and discuss together the ethics behind a cruelty-free lifestyle, this post is for you. Older teenagers and adults have the freedom and access to expose and educate themselves to the […]

If you are interested in veganism or have become vegan, or you and your kids have seen something about animal cruelty and want to understand and discuss together the ethics behind a cruelty-free lifestyle, this post is for you. Older teenagers and adults have the freedom and access to expose and educate themselves to the meat, fur and dairy trades, as well as other industries that exploit and hurt animals. So many of us are simply shocked into being vegan through having our eyes opened to haunting and often graphic behind-the-scenes footage of these trades. But how do we raise animal cruelty for young children without scaring and overwhelming them? Although it is important for us never to turn a blind eye to animal abuse or any social injustices, when it comes to sitting down and talking it through with little ones, a gentle approach is often best for young ears, eyes and hearts.

Veganism is simply living as cruelty-free as you can, being kind and respectful towards others and being aware of who our choices effect. Isn’t that how most of us want to raise our children anyway?

When I went vegan, my daughter was five years old. There was no planning; I just stopped consuming animal products after watching a YouTube clip from a dairy farm that popped up in my feed. The change in me was immediate and I didn’t discuss it with anyone, I didn’t even realise I was becoming vegan, just that I could not buy those “foods” anymore. It was a week or so later when my daughter started asking questions about new plant-based milks and cheeses in the fridge that I realised I needed to sit down and talk to her about the new changes I was making. I didn’t want to scare her, nor did I want to put her under any pressure or create any issues between us. Her father was still eating meat and dairy as normal at that time and was quite irritated with me being vegan (thankfully this didn’t last too long!); still, I didn’t want to cause a divide between her and her father either or feel that she had to pick a side. I searched online and found some child-friendly clips from a channel called Bite Size Vegan. I watched the clips first, and once I knew they were safe and age-appropriate, I showed them to Ruby. I started off with the one about dairy and by the end of it she understood what the dairy industry does to mother cows and their babies, and she said at the end she didn’t want to drink their milk or be the reason they are separated. The penny dropped for her too, just like that.

Bridge the gap between living and loving beings and their packaged bodies in the shops

Like me, she had never before questioned drinking or buying cow’s milk, it was something we did like everyone else, completely unaware of the lives of the cows who produce it or the calves who it is naturally for. Finding age-appropriate vlogs and reading child-friendly books (links at the base of this post) that calmly and kindly explain what our food choices means for the animals is paramount; it lets children process information that is usually hidden away from them and brushed under the carpet thanks to clever meat and dairy advertising – Happy Meal, or a Laughing Cow cheese triangle anyone? It’s coming from another adult too, so there isn’t that pressure for your kids to agree or disagree with you personally. Vegan parents can get hassle for “forcing” their views on children. The fact is most kids (myself included) were simply never shown the full picture or given a chance to make up our own minds. I was “forced” to eat meat and dairy and never question it, just as my parents did when they were children. I wish I had known better before the ripe old age of 36!

I wouldn’t buy her a pack of cigarettes any more than I would buy her a bacon roll – both cause cancer, both damage the environment and both kill animals (cigarettes are tested on animals)

Once children understand that farm animals love, play, feel fear and sadness, and have friendships and family – that mother pigs, chickens, sheep and cows care and want to protect their babies just as much as we human mothers do, and that we have a choice whether to harm them or not through our food choices, veganism make sense to kids. Only you as their parent can judge what level of detail they should know, and at what stages this changes with their age and maturity – as with all aspects of parenting, there are no set rules. I recommend you visit rescued animals if you are able to or alternatively watch clips from sanctuaries online – this very short clip (click here) of a rescued pig and her piglets is so heart-warming! I’ll add some other links at the base of this post.

Watch your children spend time with farm animals, not just pets, and learn to value them as individuals not products. Answer the child’s questions honestly and sensitively. Bridge the gap between living and loving beings and their packaged bodies in the shops. If you have animals at home or at friends’ houses, explain that farmed animals have the same feelings dogs do. As we wouldn’t harm a cat, why is it okay for farmed animals to be treated any differently? Buy foods that imitate their favourites and reassure them they can still have treats – vegan cupcakes are, after all, the absolute easiest thing to make. Fry’s Family Food does the best chicken-style nuggets and Linda McCartney does very tasty sausage rolls – you may find lots of food they like is already vegan, such as spaghetti with tomato sauce, chips, veggie soups or beans on toast. For UK shoppers, this link is a great resource for searching for vegan (and accidentally vegan foods) myvegansupermarket.co.uk

Remember to have fun being vegan with your little ones – it’s a great adventure and so much better when you are in it together!

Be patient with relatives and friends who are new to the idea of veganism, people are often just not yet educated on how beneficial a whole food plant-based diet is for any age, and it can come across as them being critical, unkind and judgemental. People also can see you going cruelty-free as a spotlight on their choices; that too can cause discomfort that can be expressed unpleasingly. It’s worth knowing that The British Dietetic Association confirms “well-planned vegan diets can support healthy living in people of all ages”. It can feel tiresome sometimes to have to explain that what you are doing is not dangerous or you haven’t joined a weird cult, but until it becomes more mainstream, patience and kindness are key to responding to any negativity. There is a wealth of information out there if anyone needs help understanding, a great resource is nutritionfacts.org Another thing to consider is that you are the parent and it’s up to you to make what you feel are the best decision for your kids. All parents do this in all aspects of their kids’ lives and food shopping is no different. I wouldn’t buy her a pack of cigarettes any more than I would buy her a bacon roll – both cause cancer, both damage the environment and both kill animals (cigarettes are tested on animals). People often ask us if it’s hard to not eat meat; I point to our dog and say it’s as easy to not eat bacon or chicken as it is not to eat her – they are not food!

Finally, don’t be afraid to question how you are doing, and if you slip up don’t beat yourself up about it – just keep going and remember how well you are doing in the long run. Ask more experienced vegan parents for advice – there are plenty of friendly ones out there – avoid and rise above rude, ignorant and negative reactions (from both sides of the fence) and, if you need to, consult a dietician if you can access one for any specific health concerns or allergy queries. Note that GPs in the UK have very little nutritional training but can refer you to a dietician if you have any real concerns. I have mine and Ruby’s bloods done once a year just to make sure we are okay and provide reassurance for anyone that needs it. Don’t forget to use a good supplement for vitamins B12 and D – the NHS recommends that everyone in the UK should be taking vitamin D supplements, not just vegans. We use the Vegan Society’s VEG 1 tablets, which cover the basics, and lastly and most importantly, remember to have fun being vegan with your little ones – it’s a great adventure and so much better when you are in it together!

Helpful resources

Books – we have an ever-growing list of kids vegan and eco books post here, from birth to pre teen.

Sanctuaries to visit in the UK – check for open days or regular visiting hours each week. Here are a few UK-based vegan-run animal sanctuaries: Friends, The Retreat, Dean Trust, Brook, Hillside, The Farm and Hugletts. For vegan sanctuaries outside the UK, please leave a comment and link if you are or know of any vegan-run animal sanctuaries.

Vegan festivals – search Facebook for vegan festivals near you. It’s an excellent chance to meet other vegan families, professionals, sample plant-based food and eat as much vegan cake as you can! The V Show is my favourite, and if you book in advance it’s free.

Vegan Kids Magazine – a fantastic resource for kids. You can buy the download version (back issues always available) or a hard copy – https://www.vegankidsmagazine.com

Social media – search and join vegan parent Facebook groups local to you or your country of residence such as Vegan UK Families. Follow family-friendly vegan Instagram accounts such as ours – it is reassuring to see so many other parents raising vegan kids, and it makes you feel a little more supported in your vegan adventures! Try @littlevbigv@veganpregnancyandparenting@vegankidsmagazine and search hashtags such as #vegankids #veganmum (or #veganmom) #vegandad #veganfamilies, so you can build up a network, exchange tips and questions and see how day-to-day vegan life is for people across the globe!

Kids parties – One thing new vegan parents may worry about is kids’ parties. We have a post dedicated to this here.

]]>http://littlevbigv.com/kids/talking-young-kids-veganism-gentle-approach/feed/31899Vegan Afternoon Tea – with your dog?http://littlevbigv.com/recipes-eating-out/vegan-afternoon-tea-dog/
http://littlevbigv.com/recipes-eating-out/vegan-afternoon-tea-dog/#commentsFri, 09 Mar 2018 22:20:31 +0000http://littlevbigv.com/?p=1866Yes, there really is a hotel in London that offers a fantastic vegan afternoon tea for adults, kids and … dogs! My daughter and I wanted to mark our two-year vegan anniversary with a special treat, and so we picked an afternoon in London having tea. While searching for places that have vegan options and […]

Yes, there really is a hotel in London that offers a fantastic vegan afternoon tea for adults, kids and … dogs! My daughter and I wanted to mark our two-year vegan anniversary with a special treat, and so we picked an afternoon in London having tea. While searching for places that have vegan options and are child-friendly, I came across Egerton House Hotel in Knightsbridge. To my amusement they happily accommodate four-legged friends, although the dog’s menu online is meat-based.

After a friendly and amusing chat on the phone with one of the very pleasant members of staff (and a warning that our dog is a bit more Croydon than Knightsbridge), she was very open to the idea of the chefs cooking up a plant-based option for Poppy as the food is all freshly prepared to order. Poppy is our almost three-year-old cockapoo mix bitch who is on a meat- and dairy-free diet. You can read more about that here– but for now back to afternoon tea.

I am blessed with a child who is very well mannered at the table – but the same cannot be said for our pooch. With visions of her humping fellow tea-drinkers, barking at thin air or peeing in the reception, off we went. We couldn’t have had a warmer welcome with the staff fussing over both my companions. We were led into the cosy lounge area where a bowl of water and a very cute little banana dog-toy greeted Poppy which immediately set her at ease. The various menus are on the table, traditional, vegetarian, vegan and gluten free but as we had pre-ordered we just needed to choose some tea to get us started. They have some incredible tea-infused cocktails on offer for those that can handle lunchtime drinking – something I have yet to master. My daughter Ruby chose a Moroccan rose bud and I picked a Seville orange tea – both delightful and served at a perfect temperature. None of the tableware is bone china (usually made from cow or ox bones) which is a common oversight.

The food soon arrived, with the dog wisely being served first. It’s hard not to laugh as your dog is served a three-tiered lunch, she couldn’t quite believe her luck, looking up at me as if to say “Am I really allowed to eat all this?!” She dived straight into her sweet potato mash with chickpeas and a side of carrots and broccoli – but was soon distracted by homemade biscuits and then her tail went into overdrive at the Billy + Margotdairy-free doggy ice cream. Anyone who loves their pooch will be hard-pressed not to smile sunbeams watching such indulgence bestowed on your four-legged friend.

With all the excitement surrounding the dog’s lunch we almost forgot we were in for our own treat. A hearty selection of sandwiches and cakes including scones with coconut cream arrived and the conversation soon stopped so we could, as my daughter put it, “stuff our faces” We are all more Croydon than Knightsbridge it seems! The sandwiches were a selection of grilled vegetables on granary baguette, guacamole and rocket on white bread, chickpea-coronation on granary bread, cucumber on brown bread and tomato and olive tapenade on sun-dried tomato bread – yum. You can ask for more of what you fancy, if you have any room – next time I’m wearing elasticated trousers. The cakes were light and fluffy and very sweet. The bases were mostly sponge so a bit of variety would have been nice but its certainly not a complaint, we are just used to eating lots of different types of vegan cakes, slices and tortes as cakes are one of the easiest food to replicate for vegans. What is wonderful here that if you have any leftovers they automatically offer you a takeaway box so nothing is wasted.

If the afternoon couldn’t get any sweeter, Ruby was then given a little teddy that comes with the children’s tea option. His name is Edwin the Egerton bear and right now he is snuggled up safe and sound in bed with Ruby and Poppy. I hope Edwin will be as happy in our home as we were at the Egerton, celebrating a very special two-year vegan anniversary.

Adult afternoon tea costs £40 (add £13 for champagne), child’s is £20 (under 12’s) and £18 for the dog. You will need to ring in advance to notify the hotel of your dog’s preferred plant-based food. For example, I had said Poppy loves sweet potatoes, chickpeas, lentils, broccoli and carrots to name a few options.

]]>http://littlevbigv.com/recipes-eating-out/vegan-afternoon-tea-dog/feed/21866Becoming vegan – losing friends, bearing witness & finding a balancehttp://littlevbigv.com/activism/becoming-vegan-losing-friends-bearing-witness-finding-balance/
http://littlevbigv.com/activism/becoming-vegan-losing-friends-bearing-witness-finding-balance/#respondSun, 04 Mar 2018 17:48:09 +0000http://littlevbigv.com/?p=1543When I went vegan a few years ago, I would have not guessed in a thousand years how strongly and how quickly I would change from a meat ‘n’ cheese-guzzler into what has been described by some as an “extreme” vegan. At the beginning I was co-existing with my meat-eating loved ones quietly. Just spending my energy […]

When I went vegan a few years ago, I would have not guessed in a thousand years how strongly and how quickly I would change from a meat ‘n’ cheese-guzzler into what has been described by some as an “extreme” vegan.

At the beginning I was co-existing with my meat-eating loved ones quietly. Just spending my energy on new shopping habits and enjoying the feeling of a plant-based diet and a clearer conscience. I would never be – as I promised my husband at the time – an over-the-top type of vegan. It wouldn’t impact on our lives, just the fridge and that was a promise. I really did mean it.

For 36 years I ate the very animals I now fight for

My daughter and I visited sanctuaries, lazed around hugging rescue cows and ate the best plant-based burgers and cupcakes in town. We went on some protests and walked around festivals in our Go Vegan tees. It was all going rather nicely – then it all changed.

A few months after ditching animal products I learnt about bearing witness outside slaughterhouses. I joined Facebook in the summer to find out more and soon found myself outside Cheale Meats abattoir with Essex Pig Save. The moment the first truck was slowed down, my heart was racing and I gingerly peeked in one of those awful livestock trucks, the kind we pass on the motorway and cringe in shame and sadness before returning to that bacon roll, not quite getting the connection that buying the bacon roll put those pigs in that truck and worse.

My hesitant eyes met those of a young male pig about to be killed – that was the precise moment everything changed. He looked up at me, sad and confused. He was six months old on his way to be electrocuted, he was defeated and lost, swaying from side to side crashing into other vomit-covered pigs helplessly as the overcrowded truck slowly rolled by us. It was the saddest thing I have ever seen.

People are asking questions now, in a more understanding and empathetic way, shyly wanting to know more about the plight of these animals

The fight for animals in that moment became very scary and real, and I felt very clearly that it was absolutely my duty to fight for this huge injustice I was seeing at first hand, even if this meant unsettling those I knew. That pig had no right to his own life, no chance of survival or even of a moment’s happiness or consideration in his awful forced existence. He was a product, a barcode, a dish on a menu that happened to have a soul, a family and the ability to feel fear. He was all the things people who still eat them don’t want to acknowledge.

At first my friends expressed concern and perplexity as to why I was choosing to witness such horrors in the freezing cold for hours on end just for a moment with these animals. Some still do. They questioned the “extreme” change in me, uncomfortable that my newfound passion for animal rights unfortunately highlights the darker side of their dinner. Not many like to be told they are paying for something that is so cruel and nasty – I know I didn’t and found it hard to accept what I had been supporting. I always liked to think of myself as a genuine animal lover and fairly ethical person, I now get it that eating them and caring about their welfare can’t go hand in hand. So, it is of course far easier to point the finger at me labelling me as extreme rather than to face the victims and take responsibility. I’m not sure exactly what it is that is so extreme I am doing – I’m rather too boring to be “extreme”. The situation these animals are in because of people’s dietary preferences is extreme, not those trying to help these animals – perhaps if the pigs were dogs it would be easier to understand.

It is an amazing thing when friends or family members tell you they are going vegan, considering it or have stopped eating meat

I am well aware that by trying to expose the horror of how animals are treated does not always sit well with people, and that to me is actually really positive. No one I want to call a friend should feel comfortable with the way animals are treated in the food and clothing chains especially in this country and predictably some lighter friendships have fizzled out. My close friends have been supportive even if they don’t yet understand it fully. Slowly but surely though more and more people are asking questions now – not in a defensive way any more, calling me names, joking about vegans and labelling me as extreme, but in a more understanding and empathetic way, cautiously wanting to know more about the plight of these animals and the damaging environmental issues that come with livestock farming and the effects of eating animals has on our health.

It helps that more and more high-profile sportspeople, actors, singers and celebrities are going vegan and speaking out about animal rights, the latest being Lewis Hamilton and Will.i.am. It feels like the newspapers and various TV shows are covering exposés on UK animal welfare failings on a weekly basis – and not just in The Guardian! Vegans and farmers are being invited to debate their differences, and there are UK-wide vegan poster campaigns – some taking over entire tube stations. You can’t close your eyes forever no matter how comfortable it is in the dark.

Change is coming and the more activists out there the faster that change will be.

Since that first vigil well over a year ago it has been an ongoing learning curve on how to channel the vigil and other activism energy – a mix for me of raw anger, empathy, upset, love, grief, hope and huge determination – and use it positively, inclusively and peacefully to try and help people to understand what they are buying and to show by example how easy it is to adapt to vegan lifestyle even if you have young children in tow. It’s hard to stay calm about injustices, just start a conversation on dog fighting or the dog meat trade and suddenly everyone can relate. However too much anger is self destructive and doesn’t really benefit anyone, so i’ve also learned that when its becoming too much it’s important take a break.

So would I change anything about going vegan? Absolutely not. I have so much still to learn and it’s inspirational to be around active people who are promoting kindness and positive social changes; I have made some amazing new friends among them. I feel much more comfortable in the company of compassionate people these days. Of course there are some unpleasant vegans, aren’t there in any group of people? I just steer well clear of campaigns and opinions I feel are offensive to people and the movement and focus on the activists who use a love-based inclusive approach – luckily, there are far more who adopt this style of advocacy. Meeting other vegan parents and kids has been brilliant for my daughter too.

The best part though is when friends or family members tell you they have gone vegan, are considering it or have stopped eating animals, or adopted a companion animal rather than used a breeder. Even those experimenting now with a plant-based meal once or twice a week means the message is being heard, and these animals’ lives are starting to be valued as they should be not just as slabs of flesh on a plate. It’s a domino effect, I’ve stopped counting now how many people I know are going veggie, and each shift in habits – however small at the beginning – equates to fewer animals’ lives being demanded and a change in attitude towards causing them harm. Even my then six-year-old daughter has helped one of her teachers at school along the road to veganism!

I will never stop doing whatever I can to get the message out there, even if it means losing a few friends – it’s a small price to pay. How can I turn away from these wonderful and innocent beings when I have seen what terrible things we do to them?

For free vegan starter packs, great recipes, tips, support, advice and inspiration, click on the links below and of course feel free to drop me a email if you have any questions. I have included a 40-minute film Land of Hope and Glory at the base of this post. This film is for anyone who still believes that animals are treated with respect and dignity in the UK. As an ex-meat eater I used to look out for Red Tractor and RSPCA-assured food, free-range and organic labels as a way to tell myself these animals did not suffer for me – they had enjoyed life before their “humane” slaughter. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The footage is all from UK farms and are standard practices for the vast majority of farmed animals. Please watch and question whether a five-minute meal or snack is worth their life.

]]>http://littlevbigv.com/activism/becoming-vegan-losing-friends-bearing-witness-finding-balance/feed/01543Single-use plastic – top 10 zero waste living tipshttp://littlevbigv.com/eco-living/single-use-plastic-top-10-zero-waste-living-tips/
http://littlevbigv.com/eco-living/single-use-plastic-top-10-zero-waste-living-tips/#respondWed, 13 Dec 2017 12:28:14 +0000http://littlevbigv.com/?p=1749Many vegans and vegetarians start their journey with animal welfare at the heart of the decision to omit certain products from their life, and although this remains the ethical core for many, a deeper consciousness is awakened to environmental matters as well. It’s not hard to find the widely published evidence that animal agriculture, especially beef and dairy, […]

Many vegans and vegetarians start their journey with animal welfare at the heart of the decision to omit certain products from their life, and although this remains the ethical core for many, a deeper consciousness is awakened to environmental matters as well. It’s not hard to find the widely published evidence that animal agriculture, especially beef and dairy, is the biggest cause of global warming.

The effects of this industry cause more emissions than that of all of the worlds transport systems combined – that’s including boats, planes, cars and trains. The rate of deforestation to clear land for cattle is a real-life horror story that the world is simply turning a blind eye to. And it’s not just the animal agricultural industry that is suffocating our planet – we are drowning in plastic. We all, human and non-human, depend on our environment for survival, and giving up animal products is the single most powerful and effective way to make a difference for all our future here on Earth. But not eating and wearing animals is just part of what we can do though – rejecting single-use plastic and aiming towards zero waste living is what weneed to be aiming for.

We are addicted to plastic – but what can we as average families do to help? Here are 10 everyday swaps we can make to reduce our plastic footprint and do our bit for our planet and all Earthlings that depend on her, human and non-human.

Soap

A simple swap from a bottle of shower gel or hand wash to a cruelty-free bar of soap packaged with recyclable paper leaves you squeaky-clean and with no plastic bottle at the end of its use. Lush, among other companies, do bottle-free shampoo bars and conditioners as well. Plastic bottles can take up to 450 years to biodegrade. There are thousands of vegan-friendly soaps out there; our favourite is Marie’s Artisan Soap, made in the Highlands of Scotland using sustainable ingredients and minimal recyclable packaging – they’re excellent for dry and sensitive skin too.

Straws

I hate them! They are totally unnecessary and almost never recycled in bars, cafés and restaurants. They last just a few minutes in our drinks and then up to 200 years on Earth decomposing. The best thing to do is refuse one when offered or when ordering drinks. If you (kids especially) want one, you can buy reusable ones that come with cool pipe-style cleaners. They are widely available online and in stores. We have some steel ones at home which are great to take out and about as well as using at home.

Cling film

Not even the most earth conscious of us are going to wash, dry and reuse standard cling film. It’s hard enough to unravel the first time around. It’s undeniably useful stuff though, so what is a good alternative? Many reusable food wrappers contain beeswax, which may solve one problem – but harmbees.Rowen Stillwater, however, use soy wax, thus making them a brilliant cruelty-free zero waste solution to keeping food fresh and sandwiches intact on the road – and everything else you need a food cover for. Everything they make is eco conscious and suitable for vegans so check them out to support small vegan businesses. Tiffin, steel and bamboo boxes with lids are also ideal plastic-free ways to store food.

Toothbrushes

An estimated 850 million toothbrushes are thrown away each year. These will end up in the ocean and in landfill, many indefinitely. Although the scale of this issue is widely known, not many people are using more earth-friendly alternatives – usually made of bamboo – which biodegrades faster, with fewer toxic chemicals. A quick search online or a visit to a health-food store will provide plenty of alternatives to plastic brushes for all budgets and for all members of the family.

Sanitary towels

It’s really not that bad to have reusable ones, I promise! Having a zero waste period is not only healthier for your vagina, healthier for the environment but is seriously good for your wallet too. Plus you don’t have to worry about dashing to the shops at the beginning of your cycle to stock up! There are also no nasty toxins that are found in throw-away tampons. Shockingly, tampons are often tested on animals. My favourite cloth pads are from Bright and Beautiful, made by a vegan mum with love from home; she offers amazing confidential advice on which ones work best for you and has very cute little teenager starter packs too. There are lots of sellers on Etsy as well if you are outside the UK. For those who prefer a tampon-style solution to their flow, Mooncup and Ruby Cups are two that I have used and can happily recommend; they last for years too, making the initial expense very worthwhile. Ruby Cup run a fantastic “buy one give one” programme. For every cup they sell, they’ll donate one to a girl or woman without access to menstrual care products. So that’s a girl whose life will be drastically improved by this simple act of giving.

Laundry/soap nuts

The frustration about taking so long to find out about these is almost as great as that of taking 36 years to switch on to veganism. Better late than never, I suppose. A 1kg bag costing around £12 will last you around 330 washes which is a huge saving compared with bottled and branded alternatives. The nuts are completely natural products; you simply add around six to a little bag that comes with the nuts and pop it in the drum. You can use the nuts between 4-6 times each and afterwards throw them in your food compost bin. Ecoballs are another option to help reduce your plastic footprint – they last up to 1,000 washes. Both these options are fantastic for sensitive skin as well.

Food containers

If it’s likely you’ll be having a lunch-to-go from your favourite café or are visiting a festival where you will be buying food, why not pack a reusable food container. Stallholders will thank you for saving them the cost of their disposable ones and you can pack your own cutlery too. Every little bit helps.

Kitchen roll and sponges

As a family with five animal companions, a young daughter and a husband who spends his free time cleaning up the glasses of wine I knock over, we get through a lot of kitchen roll. They are costly and very wasteful, but thankfully there are plenty of alternatives. Ecoegg have a roll of kitchen towel that seems to last forever! For £9.99 it’s amazing value – I’ve had one roll for months and it’s still going strong. For a zero waste option, Boobalou have rolls of washable snap on fabric sheets that are super absorbent and look great too; they also sell unsponges, as do many retailers. A quick search online will bring up many to choose from. I also have a drawer full of cut-up old t-shirts to use as napkins or wipe up mess, the kind that don’t quite make the cut to give away to charity are perfect for the job.

Cups

Another seriously hated single-use item that has a quick use but a long lifetime impact on the earth – plastic cups. Millions are used each day, and they take years and years to decompose. Often people think they are recyclable, but because of the waterproof film they are not. Decent coffee places run often run incentives giving you a discount when you bring your own cup so it’s a win-win – the only problem is remembering to have one on you! I have a keep cup in my car and one in my work bag, that way I’m not caught short. If you work in a building with plastic water cups, why not bring in a glass or reusable bottle and use that instead – or ask your employer to remove the cups and encourage people to use glass ones.

Nappies

As parents, we should have an extra incentive to look after the earth for the next generation – our kids – so using disposable nappies makes no sense. A single nappy takes a whopping 200-500 years to biodegrade. I used washable ones with my daughter years ago and with the help of the local council incentive scheme I saved myself a few extra quid too. Check your local council’s voucher worth here. I have since passed mine on as I’m not having more than one child so second-hand is a great budget-friendly option. You can find loads on eBay or Gumtree-type sites. If you are heading in to a situation (long-haul flight for example) where a disposable nappy would perhaps be of help, there are better biodegradable and less toxic ones available at sites such as Beaming Baby.

COMPETITION TIME

Another great littlevbigv giveaway with some of the products featured in this post!

Win a bar of Marie’s Soap, set of vegan food wraps, an unsponge, bamboo toothbrush and a menstrual cloth pad – just head over to our Twitter page, retweet and follow us to enter. T&Cs here.

]]>http://littlevbigv.com/eco-living/single-use-plastic-top-10-zero-waste-living-tips/feed/01749Alternative Advent Calendars (Vegan-Friendly)http://littlevbigv.com/product-reviews-gift-guides/alternative-advent-calendars-vegan-friendly/
http://littlevbigv.com/product-reviews-gift-guides/alternative-advent-calendars-vegan-friendly/#commentsSat, 04 Nov 2017 09:59:43 +0000http://littlevbigv.com/?p=1705Is it too soon to mention the C word? The one thing I have always had at Christmas since I was a little girl, into my troublesome teens and far out the other side, is an advent calendar, so this year – my and my daughter’s second as a vegan – I’d like to share eight vegan-friendly calendars […]

Is it too soon to mention the C word? The one thing I have always had at Christmas since I was a little girl, into my troublesome teens and far out the other side, is an advent calendar, so this year – my and my daughter’s second as a vegan – I’d like to share eight vegan-friendly calendars to suit all ages and tastes from £3.99 upwards. Enjoy!

We are running a Twitter competition until the 23rd November 2017. See the link at the bottom of the post for a chance to win a Moo Free calendar to arrive in time for December 1st!

Moo Free

Moo Free are selling a dairy- and soy-free calendar for vegans big and small. It’s filled with 100g of quality award-winning dairy-free chocolate, and I bet you end up yanking the tray out and scoffing the lot on day one! Available from all good supermarkets and health-food stores. RRP £4.99.

Lego

If you are after something that’s not edible then this Lego advent calendar looks brilliant! With 24 little Christmassy-themed figures and pieces from Santa’s sleigh, a gingerbread house, a Christmas tree, a plane, a snowman, a coast guard helicopter and more, each door will reveal a surprise for the day. Available from John Lewis and other retailers. RRP £19.00

Troffle Vegan Selection

Something for the grown-ups, or kids who have a finer taste for flavours. I already have a post dedicated to Troffles chocolates, which are incredible, so I was really excited to see they are doing a vegan-friendly advent calendar. It comes in a super-stylish box for those who want to decorate in style and is filled with 24 high-quality single origin chocolates from the vegan range – Orange Blossom, Rosewater, Orange & Sumac, Lime & Basil, Blackcurrant & Anise, Preserved Lemon, Lavender, and Cucumber & Juniper. They sold out very fast last year so get in there quick – click here to order! £25.00.

Montezuma’s Organic Dark Chocolate Advent Calendar

This dark chocolate calendar is organic and dairy- and soy-free. A generous chunk of chocolate lurks behind every door, and decorative and festive illustrations cover the front. It is the perfect way to countdown to Christmas Day! Available from bigger supermarkets and also online at Ethical Supermarket, which currently has 20% off. RRP £9.99.

Ales by Mail: vegan-friendly craft beer selection

Now this is my idea of an advent calendar! There are two ready-packed advent boxes of craft beers available but these may not be vegan-friendly, so the best way to ensure your beers are vegan is to build your own. These guys have a very handy vegan filter across their range of craft beers so you can easily add whichever ones you fancy. Just click on this link to get started and roll on December 1st. Price will depend on selected craft beers.

Holland & Barrett

Celebrate the countdown to Christmas Day with this very cheery advent calendar. The Holland & Barrett chocolate advent calendar is filled with 24 yummy, organic and dairy-free chocolates – one for each day of Advent. There are two vegan-friendly designs to choose from. RRP £3.99.

Made with Love

If you still can’t find anything that suits you, you can always make or buy your own one and fill it with treats or little gifts for a really personalised calendar. There are quite a few available on Notonthehighstreet or Easy. From £15 upwards.

Plamil Organic Vegan Milk Chocolate Alternative Advent Calendar

One last fun and kid-friendly chocolate calendar available from most health food shops, online and larger supermarkets. From £3.99 you can’t go wrong with this cheeky little Santa who is sure to raise a smile in the run-up to the big day.

COMPETITION TIME!

Just retweet the competition post here and follow our account for a change to win your own Moo Free calendar. T&Cs on our Facebook page.

]]>http://littlevbigv.com/product-reviews-gift-guides/alternative-advent-calendars-vegan-friendly/feed/21705Troffley Good Chocolateshttp://littlevbigv.com/product-reviews-gift-guides/troffley-good-chocolates/
http://littlevbigv.com/product-reviews-gift-guides/troffley-good-chocolates/#respondTue, 03 Oct 2017 09:55:47 +0000http://littlevbigv.com/?p=1680Chocolate is one thing vegans definitely do not need to worry about missing out on. There is a wealth of dairy-free chocolate out there to suit all tastes. All the major supermarkets now have their own free-from chocolates available as button bags, bars and ice creams to name just a few. There are the old staples as well like Bourneville, […]

Chocolate is one thing vegans definitely do not need to worry about missing out on. There is a wealth of dairy-free chocolate out there to suit all tastes. All the major supermarkets now have their own free-from chocolates available as button bags, bars and ice creams to name just a few. There are the old staples as well like Bourneville, and most of the dark chocolate ranges from brands such as Green & Black’s and Divine are suitable for vegans. If you see on the label “may contain milk”, this just means it’s made in a factory that handles it – it’s not in the actual product, so it’s safe to eat if you are vegan. The list of chocolate options is gloriously long but for a box of extra special, beautifully presented chocolates full of incredible flavour pairings such as Blackcurrant & Anise and Cucumber & Juniper, the Troffle’s vegan selection is incredible.

They are a small business – my favourite kind – that started off at a South London market but have now moved online. They have an easy-to-use vegan tab on their website that includes seasonal specials such as a vegan chocolate advent calendar. Yes, I really want one of these – someone please get me one!

We tried the Vegan Box at £10 (plus P&P). The double comes in at £17 – and both include the following flavours: Orange Blossom, Rosewater, Orange & Sumac, Lime & Basil, Blackcurrant & Anise, Preserved Lemon, Lavender, and Cucumber & Juniper. The dark chocolate is Single Origin 70% minimum cocoa solids, fairly sourced from Tanzania. The various fillings are all natural and will get your tastebuds dancing with joy trying to distinguish each botanical delight. Try not to look at the flavour card and just pop them in your mouth and taste each one – enjoy the moment as these are not to be rushed. My favourite is the Cucumber & Juniper, enjoyed between sips of gin and tonic – Little Bird to be precise, another gem born in South London.

The box is so pretty that my daughter who caught me trying to eat these in peace proceeded to dress up for the occasion in her best party frock! She may only be six but she has a mature palate and so I was more than happy to let her have a little bite from each one as we made our way through the box. It definitely gets the thumbs up from both little and big v.

Available to order online in handy, postbox-friendly sizes, these make an amazing gift for all chocolate lovers, not just vegans.

The only thing I don’t quite understand is why they use dairy in the other boxes – it’s clearly not needed as the quality of the chocolate and delicate flavours speak for themselves. To learn why vegans do not support the dairy industry, please click this link – https://www.whitelies.org.uk

For a chance to win a box to try for yourself – check out our Twitter competition here. T&Cs on our Facebook page.

For those who want their chocs from 100% vegan companies, here is a little list of goodies we’ve gladly tried, tested and gone back for more:

]]>http://littlevbigv.com/product-reviews-gift-guides/troffley-good-chocolates/feed/01680Vegan School Lunchbox Ideashttp://littlevbigv.com/kids/vegan-school-lunchbox-ideas/
http://littlevbigv.com/kids/vegan-school-lunchbox-ideas/#commentsSun, 20 Aug 2017 16:08:42 +0000http://littlevbigv.com/?p=1632Here is a selection of lunchboxes I make for my six-year-old (nearly seven, as she has pointed out!). Although her school were offering her a vegan option, which in comparison with the standard menu was much healthier, I found the food to be too processed, which she wasn’t enjoying. I must admit I was a bit stuck at […]

Here is a selection of lunchboxes I make for my six-year-old (nearly seven, as she has pointed out!). Although her school were offering her a vegan option, which in comparison with the standard menu was much healthier, I found the food to be too processed, which she wasn’t enjoying. I must admit I was a bit stuck at first when I considered what I would give her in her lunchbox, but it’s really easy when you get started. I use a lot of leftover dinners from the evening before, and it’s also a fantastic way to use up little odds and ends in the fridge that aren’t enough for a family meal. For her drink I just give her water.

These are typical lunchboxes I will make either for her school lunch, her holiday club or days out. I find using a bento-style lunchbox is much easier to fill – the one shown here is from System which is BPA and phthalate-free, it cost around £8 and is lasting very well. Stainless steel tiffin boxes make a brilliant plastic-free option. ECOlunchbox and Indian-Tiffin do great containers perfect for lunches.

]]>http://littlevbigv.com/kids/vegan-school-lunchbox-ideas/feed/11632Everything Vegan – wear your messagehttp://littlevbigv.com/product-reviews-gift-guides/everything-vegan-wear-message/
http://littlevbigv.com/product-reviews-gift-guides/everything-vegan-wear-message/#respondWed, 26 Jul 2017 06:40:04 +0000http://littlevbigv.com/?p=1507Any one who follows me on Instagram and Facebook will know I recently watched the most fascinating documentary The True Cost and that it has completely changed the way I buy clothes. If you are not familiar with the effects of fast fashion I recommend you see this film – from child labour, the horrific conditions […]

Any one who follows me on Instagram and Facebook will know I recently watched the most fascinating documentary The True Cost and that it has completely changed the way I buy clothes. If you are not familiar with the effects of fast fashion I recommend you see this film – from child labour, the horrific conditions for garment workers, the animals that suffer, the pollution caused by the industry and everything in-between, it is a real eye-opener. It’s a bit like Earthlings for your wardrobe. I’ve put the trailer at the bottom of the post.

something as simple as wearing a t-shirt really can start conversations and help the vegan cause.

So when I do occasionally get new cothes I make sure that the companies pay a fair living wage, the clothes are vegan-friendly and they are made to last as I will be re-wearing again and again. Even better still are clothes with a vegan message on and thats exactly what Everything Vegan supplies. It has to be the easiest way to spread the V love. I can’t help but smile seeing other vegans out and about with their AR badges, totes or t-shirts – even our car has been veganised with stickers! It somehow makes you feel a little less alone in the meat-crazed world we live in that there are others out there who care and are striving for a kinder way to live. It also shows other people who may be interested in going vegan that they won’t be alone either. But best of all it allows people to approach you and ask you questions, or show interest in the topic.

Even better they have very kindly offered us a $25 gift card for one lucky littlevbigv.com reader to win.

My daughter especially loves to wear a strong animal rights slogan, often complaining that vegan kids’ clothes have messages that are too soft and cutesy. Especially if we are going to a protest she wants to make it crystal clear that she means business. So many animal rights apparel designs are not available for children which can be annoying, mostly because Ruby is at an age now where my vests and t-shirts suddenly find themselves as oversized dresses! So when Everything Vegan approached us to check out their website and collaborate on a Twitter competition, she was super happy to pick out a “Please Stop Eating Us” tee with three chickens – much like our rescue birds Peri, Plum and Razzle – and an awesome Cruelty Free cap. I chose a Vegan AF design because, well , that’s what I am and quite frankly if people are going to stare at my chest they might as well have something good to read – boobivism at its best! The second time I wore this out on the school run I was stopped by a couple who were interested in going vegan, we chatted in-depth and we all left the conversation feeling positive. It was great even though it made me late it was worth it and shows something as simple as wearing a t-shirt really can start conversations and help people interested in living more cruelty-free.

There are loads of really cool designs on Everything Vegan – most are in child sizes too so head over and check them out. Even better they have very kindly offered us a $25 gift card for one lucky littlevbigv.com reader to win. To enter see our Twitter page.

Wear you veganism with pride!

Everything Vegan’s director Aaron has confirmed in writing that they only use certified clothing that protects workers and ensures everyone is treated fairly and reasonably, and no children are employed by the manufacturers. They use organic water-based inks that are vegan-friendly.

Please take two minutes to watch the trailer for The True Cost. This is something I am only just learning about and am currently looking into companies that have clear ethical policies that look after the environment as well as people. When I have done a lot more research I will do another clothing based post.

]]>http://littlevbigv.com/product-reviews-gift-guides/everything-vegan-wear-message/feed/01507Vegan Books for Kids – Teaching Kindnesshttp://littlevbigv.com/kids/vegan-books-kids-teaching-kindness/
http://littlevbigv.com/kids/vegan-books-kids-teaching-kindness/#commentsFri, 21 Jul 2017 10:30:15 +0000http://littlevbigv.com/?p=1496 I often see posts on social media asking for book recommendations suitable for little vegans that take a gentle age-appropriate approach regarding veganism, animal rights and kindness towards all beings and the planet. Below is a selection of my six-year-old’s favourite vegan-related books – I hope you have as much joy reading these with your kids […]

I often see posts on social media asking for book recommendations suitable for little vegans that take a gentle age-appropriate approach regarding veganism, animal rights and kindness towards all beings and the planet. Below is a selection of my six-year-old’s favourite vegan-related books – I hope you have as much joy reading these with your kids as I do with Ruby. These books aren’t exclusively for vegan children of course, the messages of peace, respect, responsibility and kindness make beautiful gifts and reading for any child.

UPDATE – NEW BOOKS ADDED AT THE END!

Animal Rescue by Patrick George

An incredibly gentle but striking picture book suitable for all ages especially very young children. It shows animals before and after liberation, or how some humans sadly use them and where they should be. Cleverly designed with interactive transparent pages, your little ones can take part in freeing the animals back to where they belong. This is one of our favourite books and it really helps children (and adults) see animals as individuals in their natural habitat and why we should not be using them as objects for our personal gain. There is also a fun app to go with the book – just search Animal Rescue in your app store. You can see Razzle our rescue hen loves this book too!

ABC of Being Kind by Ruby Roth

One of three books we have by Ruby Roth, this is again suitable for really young children. A fun and smart way to learn the alphabet as well as understand how positive, kind and fun taking better care of our planet, our animal friends and our bodies is. “A is for animals – friends, not food. We don’t eat our friends, they’d find it quite rude”. This is a perfect present to teach kindness and respect from day one.

The Girl Who Could See Stories by Gill Torres

Follow the adventures of Sofiel who has an amazing gift of seeing stories in every object she sees. She can see how a beautiful butterfly started out as a tiny caterpillar – the exciting adventures a bicycle has been on before being left propped up against the wall, and she can even see all the stories from passengers in the back of taxis that drive past. But what happens when she starts to see the stories her food has taken to get to her plate – the animals’ lives before they were turned in to burgers – her favourite food. What can Sofiel do to stop eating such sadness and feel happy again? How can she find better and kinder food to help her grow and spread the message to help other people make kinder choices?

Why are You a Vegan and Other Wacky Verse for Kids by Violet and Miranda Lemon

A fabulous book written by a mother and daughter team. Packed with funny cartoons that show how you can cope with questions about being vegan. There are also rhyming stories, offbeat verses and vegan-themed nursery songs, as well as the true story of Deidra the dairy cow that brilliantly explains to kids why we should not be separating mum and baby cows for dairy products. This story actually made my daughter and I cry the first time we read it as it is so beautiful – you have been warned!

Vegan is Love by Ruby Roth

Being vegan is not just what you do and don’t eat. This book looks at lots of ways we can all live more kindly and why we should not be hurting animals or our planet. It discusses issues that can be very hard to talk to children about sensitively, such as hunting, animal testing, zoos, the circus, health, pollution and more. This is an especially empowering book, my personal favourite as it teaches kids that they have the right to choose a less damaging way to exist and they can help build a more loving planet for us all. Children will learn the bigger picture reading this book and that can only be a good thing. You can watch Ruby being interviewed about the book on this link https://vimeo.com/69203005

That’s Why We Don’t Eat Animals by Ruby Roth

Another beloved classic by Ruby Ruth – this time focusing on the natural behaviours of farmed animals and how they are designed to live and enjoy life if given the freedom to do so. With cool facts and drawings on pigs, cows, fish, quail, turkeys and many more, your kids won’t be seeing these wonderful creatures as food anymore. With a thought-provoking intro too, this book sends a very powerful message about why vegans don’t eat animals.

Sunflower Kid by Stephen Bedwell Jr

This new book is one of our firm favourites already. It is such a delightful read that helps to broaden minds beyond just what we eat. Follow a young boy’s fun adventures when he visits his Auntie and Uncle’s eco home – “Mom says they’re different then she and me. I can’t wait to see my uncle and auntie”. The rhythmic story embraces living in tune with nature – from solar power to yoga, growing food and even using a composting toilet!

Stan the Plant-Eater by Stephen Bedwell Jr

The second rhyming book by Stephen. Stan loves animals and eating plants and he has a very simple and gentle way to share with you why he eats what he eats. He knows what foods will help him grow up strong, healthy and kind. He looks after his animal friends as well as his health in this very sweet book. This is a wonderful pre-school story.

Dave Loves Chickens by Carlos Patiño

Bright and fun pre-school rhyming book about Dave, a super-cool alien who just can’t understand why anyone on Earth would eat a chicken! Dave is right – chickens really are amazing animals and this book will tell you why, sharing lots of interesting facts about our feathered friends. Our rescue hens most definitely approve of this book!

A Children’s Guide to Animal Behaviour and Welfare, The Five Needs of Animal Welfare and The Rubbish Dump Whale – all by Nicola Gothard

Nicola’s A Children’s Guide to Animal Behaviour and Welfareinvites children to discover a range of species to learn about the needs of animals. From sea creatures to gorillas, the first half of the book examines animal behaviour, and the most suitable natural habitats, food and social requirements for them. Although we are all unique, the one thing we all have in common is the right to freedom and that we all feel – animals are sentient beings. The second half focuses on rabbits, hamsters and cats to apply the different requirements we learned in the first half to these three species. This would make a brilliant gift for any child, especially those who would like to work with animals. An interesting read.

The Five Needs of Animal Welfare is similar to the first book, but focuses more on what we as care-givers need to know to ensure our animal companions are happy in our homes. If you know any children whose family is about to adopt an animal or already live with one, this is the perfect gift. Cute drawings and even a colouring-in page at the back.

Unlike the two books above, The Rubbish Dump Whaleis fiction, although the reality for our ocean friends struggling to cope with humankind’s plastic pollution is very real. Follow the touching story of the Rubbish Dump Whale and his friends as they save their pals from getting tangled in rubbish and together make their way to the shore to leave a very important message for us land-based animals. For children aged 4 and up.

Dolphin Girl by Stephen Bedwell Jr

A book with a heart of gold, again addressing the ocean and the plagues of overfishing and pollution, and how we must all make changes to take care of the sea and the animals that live above and beneath its waves. Dolphin Girl takes us on an eye-opening adventure on the heroine’s grandparents’ boat, where she meets a very special friend and shares what she learns. Although I found the rhyming a little unnatural to read and the punctuation is confusing, it is a lovely book and my daughter enjoys it very much. For primary school children.

If I’ve missed any great vegan books for kids, please drop me a message so we can grab a copy and let you know what we think. I will keep adding to this post as and when we read new ones so see you back here soon!